Maison Brasserie

Amid the high rises of downtown Chicago, Maison Brasserie manages to transport diners from the hustle and bustle of the city into the imagined peace of rustic, French countryside with just one spoonful of flavorful onion soup topped with molten Gruyere and a sip of Provençal rosé. 

Although Maison's ambience are sophisticated—a black-and-white interior, cozy pink textiles and boundless natural light—the menu is classic French. Meals begin with fresh baked bread served with sea salt, butter and radishes—a traditional French offering. The hearty onion soup ($8) and a savory frisee salad ($9) topped with poached egg and bacon vinaigrette keep the glow going. The starters are rich enough to serve as a meal in themselves, but don’t let that keep you away from the roasted chicken ($18), a fork-tender bird atop toast soaked with chicken jus. This is anything but an average, boring chicken dinner.

The bistro steak ($26) also satisfies: a melt-in-your mouth filet cooked to perfection topped with shallot butter and served with crisp, shoestring-thin french fries. Save room for dessert; the slightly salty ice cream-filled profiteroles ($9) are delectable. The restaurant is still finding its footing when it comes to service, but the food definitely makes a visit worthwhile.